SNL Takes a Jab at Trump and Late-Night TV
Saturday Night Live kicked off its 51st season with a humorous take on Donald Trump’s attempts to influence late-night television. In a skit, Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) warned that he was “watching” and had his eye on the sketches.
The sketch poked fun at Brendan Carr, the FCC chairman who recently made headlines after threatening action following comments by Jimmy Kimmel. ABC briefly pulled Kimmel’s show from its schedule but quickly restored it after public outcry, suggesting network pushback against the Trump administration.
The skit also recalled Carr’s investigation into Kimmel’s playful cameo featuring Kamala Harris shortly before the last election. Johnson’s portrayal of Trump humorously suggested that he was overly vigilant about how late-night shows portray him.
“Not looking great right now,” Trump joked about his appearance, even holding up his hand to show strange discoloration, hinting at his trademark sense of self-deprecating humor.
The cold open also included a parody of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (played by Colin Jost), who addressed Pentagon generals in a mock meeting. The humor centered around unrealistic beauty standards for military personnel. Hegseth’s absurd checklist for soldiers—“No fuggos, no fatties, no facial hair”—highlighted how ridiculous these standards can be.
As the skit unfolded, Hegseth delivered a partisan speech while Johnson’s Trump casually riffed on the back-and-forth with Jost, creating a sense of playful banter.
A notable moment came when Trump commented on the Riyadh Comedy Festival, jokingly suggesting he thought Jost would be there. The line about relationships with Saudi Arabia, albeit controversial, drew mixed reactions from the audience, illustrating SNL’s knack for pushing boundaries.
Throughout, Johnson’s Trump touched on various topics that had transpired during the summer. He humorously claimed credit for ending some wars while starting new ones, all while suggesting he could fund these efforts through “my beautiful scams.”
As SNL continues to deliver satire, they shine a light on the interplay between politics and entertainment, further blurring the lines for audiences. With discussions about humor’s role in politics rising, it’s clear that shows like SNL will remain significant in shaping public discourse.
For more insights into political satire’s impact on culture, you can check out resources from the Pew Research Center on media trends and audience reactions.
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